Inside the fascinating “Messi of Cars” BMW M2, which is small, fast and precise – and will impress your friends with 32 km/h

FOR almost 50 years, BMW has proudly traded the advertising slogan “The Ultimate Driving Machine”.

Nobody disagreed.

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Not Audi.

Not Merc.

Not even the bodies of the Advertising Standards Authority.

Because it was universally accepted as true.

The formula was simple: six-cylinder in-line engines, manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, pilot sat nice and low.

How things have changed.

Today, BMW emblems can be found everywhere on front-wheel drive hatchbacks, jacked-up SUVs, electric boxes and MPVs.

Not quite the same formula.

But it doesn’t matter because it’s about the gram.

Fortunately, there are still people at BMW who are obsessed with creating high-performance cars for true enthusiasts.

You work for m.

Two years ago, M went crazy and gave us the extraordinary M3 and M4 Coupé. My cheek muscles still hurt a week after trying them.

Now it’s time for the baby M2.

I won’t leave you guessing. . . Not only is this the best Beemer I’ve ridden pound for pound, it’s arguably the GOAT

Small, fast, smooth, precise, untouchable on twisty roads, real magic from head to toe. Lionel Messi on wheels. It is so good.

M2 is different than your standard 2 Series, which is front-wheel drive, and similar to an M4 that’s been shrunk in the wash.

Same engine, same trick chassis, same rear-wheel drive arrangement, same track width – but shorter wheelbase.

It is precisely for this reason that it jumps from corner to corner with considerable speed.

It’s easier too. And almost £20,000 cheaper.

Smokey drifts

This superb 3-litre straight-six produces 460hp, perfect power for a car of this size and weight.

It beats the old M2 by 90hp and the limited CS by 10hp.

The next CS will surely top it, but I’m sticking with it, thanks a lot. The performance data can be found in the Key Facts Box.

Now you have the choice: manual six-speed rear padding or eight-speed Steptronic automatic? Strangely, the manual will cost you an extra £545.

I loved the manual — you’ll do most of your business in third gear — but I have to say the paddle-shift auto in full attack mode was faster than my brain and had me all tingling.

It also downshifts multiple times and doesn’t force an upshift in manual mode even when the engine hits the rev limiter. It sounds so, so good. Everything else is also as you wish.

Electronically controlled dampers immediately calm the car over bumps. The quickly translated steering requires only small movements. The brakes are like anchors.

Of course, you can adjust all of this as you please – and then save your favorites with the red shortcut buttons M1 and M2 on the steering wheel.

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You can also impress friends by only driving 20 miles per hour.

Zero out the ten-level traction control for smoky drifts and donuts.

have i tried No, officer. But ask me privately, maybe I’ll give you a different answer.

Nothing but the usual BMW excellence in the interior – nice mix of screens and hard controls, premium materials and M details.

There’s not much room in the back for adults – Messi would be fine – but the shoe is a useful size.

So this is the M2.

Fascinating.

Engineers have gone to great lengths to make this little car the ‘ultimate driving machine’, knowing there will be no other like it.

Without a plug anyway.

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